Diagnostic Testing Specialist

What is diagnostic testing of the heart?

Heart diagnostic testing involves noninvasive in-office procedures to check on your heart function and health. The team may recommend these tests if you’re having symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath, if you’re at risk for heart problems, or if you have a history of heart disease. 

The most common diagnostic heart tests are:

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An EKG records your heart’s electrical activity. Most EKGs are stress tests, in which you exercise on a treadmill to increase your heart activity. But, if you’re unable to do a stress test for medical reasons, a nuclear stress test produces the same results with injected drugs.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that produces moving images of your heart’s activity. In an echo stress test, you have an ultrasound scan at rest (before exercise) and another one immediately after exercise.  Or, if you can’t exercise, you can have a nuclear stress echo. 

As cardiovascular specialists, the Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group team offers all cardiac testing in their offices. 

What is a carotid ultrasound in diagnostic testing?

A carotid ultrasound is a test to check the carotid arteries on each side of your neck in detail.  This test can check blood pressure and flow to determine whether you have a blockage in either artery. 

You may need a carotid ultrasound if you recently experienced a stroke or ministroke.

What are abdominal and renal ultrasounds in diagnostic testing?

Abdominal and renal ultrasounds produce images of organs including your liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. Your ultrasound may focus on just one organ or several organs at once. 

You may need an abdominal or renal ultrasound if you have symptoms like abdominal pain, swelling, vomiting, or abnormal lab test results.

What is vascular diagnostic testing?

Vascular diagnostic testing produces images of your arteries and veins. These tests involve the legs or the arms. 

One common type of vascular diagnostic testing, an ankle brachial index (ABI) ultrasound, checks the differences in blood flow in your arms and legs to determine how well your arteries in your lower extremities work. 

You may need vascular ultrasound testing to diagnose blood clots in the veins, chronic venous insufficiency, or other serious issues. Other reasons you might need this type of test include finding the cause of leg swelling, cramps, and needing frequent wound care for slow-healing wounds.

Learn more about all the advanced diagnostic testing available at Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group by calling the office nearest you or clicking the online scheduler.